7 Christmas gifts in my survival guide for life (and golf).

If you want to know how much shit you own – if you want to stare straight into the blinding chasm of your own materialism – I have the perfect solution.

Move across the country.

I have to admit, I felt pretty good about the state of my belongings when I decided to move to Park City, Utah. I had been living in New York City for almost five years, and the spatial realities of that lifestyle had kept my closet small and my closets bare.

I rarely bought new clothes. I regularly emptied drawers and donated unused items. The only worldly possessions I acquired in large quantities, other than underwear and socks, were old copies of the New Yorker. I lived scantyBaby.

But then the day came when I realized I would have to fit the lion’s share of my worldly possessions into half the trunk of a 2011 Toyota Highlander… and my life changed.

I have merged my assets. Then I consolidated again. Then a third time. And a fourth. Ultimately, I arrived at an appropriate amount on the fifth statement. It was disturbing to see how many previously necessary things were left behind (when faced with a thick soup, I still think fondly of my immersion blender), but it was strangely exciting to see which things made the soup. in.

These things, the list of items that would roughly fit in a carry-on? This were my ride-or-dies, the possessions that had survived the Great Lessons. Items that I could confidently say would travel with me in the event of a Zombie apocalypse.

They were great or because they did something essential that couldn’t be repeated, or because they did so much things I couldn’t justify leaving behind. These items, at the intersection of versatility and essence, are listed below.

1. Normatec boots

Last year I first wrote about Normatec leg compression boots and was surprised to learn how many golf fans had never heard of the product. These LeBron-approved space-age recovery products are my favorite products after a long day on the court or a long workout in the gym. The pants are essentially large balloons, trained to inflate and deflate in specific patterns to promote blood flow and speed recovery. It’s called the secret sauce dynamic compression technologywhich stimulates circulation, flushes out metabolic waste and mimics a natural muscle pump.

I recommend this product first because it was the product that bothered me the most, including during the packaging process. At the time, it felt like a lot to give up trunk space in the name of recovery. But since arriving from the west, every initial headache has proven worth it. The pants are a weekly part of my routine, and even though we’re well into the off-season now, they’re also a great way to stay fresh between rounds on a 36-hole day or on multi-round weekends.

2. Rhone Commuter Pro Pants

If you’ve seen my face in a GOLF.com video in the last two years: you have probablyj a Rhone Commuter polo seen in action. And if you’ve seen me in person, you’ve probably seen me rocking these Commuter Pro pants.

Most of Rhone’s athleisure gear is at my favorite intersection of high quality, understated, and not cookie-cutter, but these pants are top notch. They’re heavy enough to wear in the cold, flexible enough to wear in the heat, tasty enough to wear over a nice meal and athletic enough to wear on the court. If you need an all-round pant, a king of versatility, look no further.

RHONE Commuter Pro Pants

Made from an evolution of our best-selling fabric with a structured yet flexible feel, these pants feature an adjustable button waistband and permanently pressed pleats for a sharp, sophisticated look.

3. Stio Hometown Down Jacket

Ten years ago, I made the worst decision of my life and chose to move to Syracuse for four winters to attend school. For the uninitiated, Syracuse is one of the snow capitals of the world. Winters run from October to May and are a mix of endlessly cold and perpetually gray.

I got into the golf industry in large part because I was suffering from freezer burn from my time in Cuse, and even as my career took me to greener (and warmer) pastures, I found I hadn’t quite overcome the cold of my younger years. I dreaded the winter months with a passion, and I hated getting dressed to play golf in the cold so much that I barely played when the temperature dropped below 50 degrees.

Earlier this year, as winter approached, I received the jacket that changed my worldview: the Stio Hometown Down Jacket. Stio says the Hometown Down is a ‘medium weight jacket’, but I can confirm that I have already worn it successfully in temperatures well below freezing. It doesn’t take long to realize why it’s such a popular purchase among people in cold-weather communities: It’s thick but not oversized and agile enough to carry for a variety of activities. If you’re going to a sporting event in the cold or just have plans to spend the winter on the golf course until the snow falls, I can confidently say that Stio is the best bang for your buck.

Stio Hometown down jacket

The Stio Hometown Jacket is a mid-weight option with heavyweight versatility. Filled with responsibly sourced down and recycled fabrics, it’s a winner across the board.

4. Important supplements

I’ll be honest: I’m not really a supplement guy. It took many years before I brought myself to the altar of protein powder, and many more before I reached my recent flirtation with creatine.

Part of the reason for my lukewarmness was that I hated it feeling like a gym brother. My brother (who is studying to become a doctor) often reminds me that eating generously and in moderation is good enough for the vast majority of people. Adding powders and bulky water bottles seemed like a great way to lose what little dignity I was still clinging to with little apparent gain.

But then I found Momentous. Their branding is subtle (sensing a theme here?), their recipes are minimalist and their standards are top notch. I still don’t wear the bulky water bottle or the string tank top, but their products make me feel strong and energetic without feeling gross about it.

Memorable plant-based protein powder

Momentous 100% Plant Protein is built for top performers who demand the best from their diets. With 20g of clean, plant-based protein per serving, with pea and rice proteins sourced exclusively from the US and Canada, it provides a complete amino acid profile to boost recovery and optimize performance.

5. Arc’Teryx Proton Jacket

A funny thing happens when you delve deeper into the world of golf: you learn that some of the best golf apparel brands aren’t necessarily marketing for golf. Like Arc’Teryx, whose hiking and outdoor equipment is some of the best all-weather golf equipment on the market.

Now I’m not sure I would recommend it deliberately if you were walking in the Proton hoody in a heavy rain shower, I’m also not sure it would be suitable as a one-layer solution for a 35 degree day – but if either happened while you were wearing it, I’d have a good feeling you’d survive in one piece. That’s the essence of the Proton jacket: its value comes from its ability to work in any potential Scottish weather pattern… meaning it saves space in your carry-on (or boot) during the packing process.

Arc’Teryx Proton Jacket

Made for climbers – even on the golf course – the Proton Hoody is the breathable insulation layer of choice for high-output missions. 80 gsm Coreloft™ Compact insulation works with the breathable outer fabric and lining to regulate temperature and vapor build-up. The Fortius Air 20 nylon shell is light and durable, articulated patterns remove limitations.

6. Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Speaker

I change portable speakers less often than the United States changes presidents, so when it finally came time to purchase a new one over the summer, I took the task seriously.

I ended up with the Bose SoundLink Flex (which retails for about $100 during the holidays) and thank goodness, I’m glad I did. The thing is basically indestructible (waterproof, dustproof), the battery lasts twelve hours at a time, and the sound quality is good enough to fill a foursome on either side of the fairway in the summer (I thought you might not want to play at that volume).

Bose SoundLink portable speaker

Meet the new SoundLink Flex Speaker. Surprisingly big, powerful sound in a super-compact size – perfect for sharing music and good times anywhere in the world. It’s also built to last, so you can go where the beat takes you.

7. Portable speaker from Blue Tees

I do not own this speaker nor did I bring it with me on my trip, but it deserves inclusion on this list for a simple reason: I witnessed a friend’s willingness to drive three hours through rural Michigan to pick up this speaker from the track where he accidentally left it. If that’s not a compelling endorsement of a product, I don’t know what is.